The Idle 'Prentice Turned Away and Sent to Sea: Industry and Idleness, plate 5 1747

This engraving, "The Idle 'Prentice Turned Away and Sent to Sea," was created by William Hogarth. It's a scene dominated by the stark contrast between the chaotic energy of the left side of the boat and the solemn resignation on the right. The composition is divided, literally and figuratively, by the boat itself. On one side, frantic figures push the idle apprentice toward his fate, a tangle of limbs and expressions conveying a forced departure. In contrast, the apprentice rowing away cuts a solitary figure, his posture and gaze directed towards the distant ships, suggesting a mix of acceptance and isolation. Hogarth uses this division to explore the 18th-century societal values of industry versus idleness. The active expulsion highlights the consequences of failing to adhere to societal norms. Yet, the apprentice's quiet departure introduces a note of ambiguity. Is he being punished, or is he finding a new path, free from the constraints of his former life? The answer remains suspended, much like the boat itself, caught between shore and sea.